News
Gene Therapy Gives Mice Broad Protection to Pandemic Flu Strains, Including 1918 Flu
May 29th 2013Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania have developed a new gene therapy to thwart a potential influenza pandemic. Specifically, investigators in the Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, directed by James M. Wilson, MD, PhD, demonstrated that a single dose of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing a broadly neutralizing flu antibody into the nasal passages of mice and ferrets gives them complete protection and substantial reductions in flu replication when exposed to lethal strains of H5N1 and H1N1 flu virus. These strains were isolated from samples associated from historic human pandemics one from the infamous 1918 flu pandemic and another from 2009.
Research Shows Copper Destroys Norovirus
May 28th 2013New research from the University of Southampton shows that copper and copper alloys will rapidly destroy norovirus. The virus can be contracted from contaminated food or water, person-to-person contact, and contact with contaminated surfaces, meaning surfaces made from copper could effectively shut down one avenue of infection.
